Role Summary

The incumbent will be responsible for assisting in protecting the Group’s interests against contractual risk, legislative risk (with Compliance) and intellectual property risk. The incumbent will assume responsibility for providing sound legal advice across the Group. The incumbent will also identify the implications arising from potential and existing contractual commitments and will adopt a pro-active role to highlight and mitigate potential problems, being prepared for all eventualities. 

Role Description

• Assist in finalizing Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with internal departments/ units to achieve improvements in turn around time which will also help increase external customer satisfaction.
• Maintain (as requested by Compliance) relationships with international authorities such as Central Banks of other countries where Group operates and also liaise with external legal professionals as and when required.
• Contribute to the review and revision of the existing policies and procedures for the local and international operations to ensure these reflect changes in relevant laws/ regulations.
• Contribute to the review of the Group's positions with regard to local and international laws and regulations.
• Supervise legal staff in Legal Advisory in providing well-researched legal advice to all departments within the Group on matters relating to Group's transactions where applicable laws, regulations or facts are unclear and conflicting to ensure the Group’s legal position is protected.
• Provide legal opinion and advice on new activities and products and complex transactions. 
• Provide support on business lines so that they can exercise their activities while maintaining risks and legal costs. 
• Obtain Group General Counsel and the relevant Credit/Business Units approval for standard documentation forms/ templates and also for documentation where standard documentation is not available, or where deviations from standard documentation are required. 
• Contribute to the preparation of the weekly, quarterly and annual returns for executive management on the activities of the Legal Department. 
• Act within the limits of the powers delegated to the incumbent and delegate authority to the respective departmental/ unit heads and monitor exercise of the same.
• Possess superior knowledge of all related  laws and regulations such as Company Laws, English Law, Civil Laws, banking templates (including LMA documentation) etc. as well as the related best practices.
• Provide inputs to the Department’s training plan and thereby develop/ enhance the skill sets of Group Legal personnel and provide them with opportunities for career development.
• Hold meetings with direct reports and assess their performance. Also take decisive action to ensure speedy resolution of unresolved grievances or conflicts amongst Legal unit personnel.

Qualifications

• University Degree in law from a recognized  university.
• Admission to the professional bar, law society or attorney association of a recognized jurisdiction is required unless the candidate is from a jurisdiction which does not permit such admission.
• At least 10 years legal experience in the legal profession with at least 2 years experience either (a) in a senior role in the legal advisory section of a major bank / FSI/Corporate or (b) as a practising lawyer in the banking/corporate practice of a recognized international law firm.
• Superior knowledge of international and local commercial and corporate laws and legislations of the financial sector.
• Thorough competence in several legal areas of concentration, with maturity and sound judgement.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Arabic (preferred).
• Good knowledge of English law and Loan Market Association Templates (preferred)
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Well-developed analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in Arabic